Released on May 31, 2017
BioBlitz Canada 150: Regina is centred on the 23-acre Habitat Conservation Area of Wascana Park. Scientists, students, naturalists and the general public will work together in an attempt to record all species in the area over a 24-hour period. The public can join wildlife experts in guided surveys of birds, plants, insects, aquatic invertebrates and fish in the park.
BioBlitz Canada 150: Regina is one of the 38 Canada 150 Signature Projects and is led by CWF. BioBlitz events will take place all across Canada; they will include five flagship events in urban areas, 20 community events and 10 science-intense blitzes. BioBlitz Canada 150: Regina is the only flagship bioblitz hosted in the prairie provinces.The RSM has partnered with the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Wascana Centre Authority, Friends of Wascana Marsh, Saskatchewan Science Centre, Nature Saskatchewan and Bird Studies Canada to bring the event to life.
“This event will provide a great opportunity for Saskatchewan people to connect with nature and interact with wildlife, gaining a deeper appreciation for nature and our natural spaces,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “I applaud the RSM and their partner organizations for the months of preparation they have done to represent the City of Regina, the Province of Saskatchewan and the entire prairie region in the BioBlitz Canada 150 project.”
Friday, June 9, the event will kick off with an opening ceremony at the Saskatchewan Science Centre at 6:30 p.m., followed by owl calling, a guided frog walk, bat presentation and nature crafts. The evening winds up with insect light trapping at the Habitat Conservation Area of Wascana Park after dusk.
Saturday, June 10 features a massive tent near the Habitat Conservation Area of Wascana Centre serving as the BioBlitz Basecamp. Participants can sign up for guided bioblitz walks with wildlife experts and/or survey an area on their own using the iNaturalist app.
Basecamp will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and participants can pre-register online to ensure a spot on the guided walks. The public can drop-in to participate in ongoing, family-friendly activities such as pond dipping, insect netting, turtle watching and live snake demonstrations between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
To close the event, the public is invited to a concert at 7 p.m. on June 10 at the RSM.
Over the past year, high school students have worked with three Regina songwriters, Glenn Sutter, Ryan Hicks and Megan Nash, to compose songs inspired by the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area. The students will perform their pieces at the Songwriting for Nature Wind-Up Show in celebration of the year-long program and BioBlitz Canada 150: Regina.
All BioBlitz Canada 150: Regina activities are free of charge.
Guests should come prepared for the outdoors by wearing proper footwear, clothing and sunscreen, and bring a water bottle and snacks. To be environmentally-conscious and avoid limited parking, guests are encouraged to walk, bike or take the bus.
For those unable to attend the bioblitz in Regina, be sure to join online to help take a snapshot of biodiversity in the province by downloading the iNaturalist app and blitzing your backyard, a nearby park or your neighborhood. Visit www.bioblitzcanada.ca for further information.
A full calendar of events and activities is listed online. To learn more about and pre-register for BioBlitz Canada 150: Regina programming, visit www.royalsaskmuseum.ca or call 306-787-2815.
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For more information, contact:
Jill Sveinson
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781
Email: jill.sveinson@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8152